Automatic fluid control device

ABSTRACT

AN AUTOMATIC FLUID CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW THROUGH A PLURALITY OF PORTS. THE DEVICE HAS A HOUSING WITH A PLURALITY OF FLUID PASSAGEWAYS THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF CHAMBERS FORMED WITHIN SAID HOUSING, A FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM SEPARATING SAID CHAMBERS, AN INLET PORT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CHAMBERS VIA SAID PASSAGEWAY, AND A PLURALITY OF OUTLET PORTS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SELECTIVE ONES OF SAID CHAMBERS VIA SAID PASSAGEWAYS.

United States Patent Kenneth C. Johnson 154 Promenade 81., West Barrington, R1. 02890 Oct. 10, 1968 June 28, I971 Inventor Appl. N0v Filed Patented AUTOMATIC FLUID CONTROL DEVICE 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

lm. c1 00511 16/06. F160 32/00 Field of Search 137/118,

119, 245; 308/122; 235/201 (ME)(lnquired); 251/367 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,501,331 7/1924 Gulick 137/245 2,947,320 8/1960 Oxley 251/367 3,057,376 10/1962 Agutter. 251/61.1 3,335,950 8/1967 TaI 235/201 3,457,942 7/1969 Johnson 137/118 Primary Examiner-William F. O'Dea Assistant ExaminerWilliam H. Wright Anorney-Thompson ABSTRACT: An automatic fluid control device for controlling fluid flow through a plurality of ports.

The device has a housing with a plurality of fluid passageways therein, a plurality of chambers formed within said housing, a flexible diaphragm separating said chambers, an inlet port in communication with said chambers via said passageways, and a plurality of outlet ports in communication with selective ones of said chambers via said passageways.

PATENTEDJUN28|97| SHE 1 OF 3 3.588.202

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INVENTOR. KENNETH C. JOHNSON B ficy ATTORNEYS PATENIED JUN28 I97! SHEET 2 OF 3 FIG. 4A

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ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUN28 |9n SHEET 3 [1F 3 INVENTOR. KENNETH C. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS FIG.9

AUTOMATIC FLUID CONTROL DEVICE My invention relates generally to automatic control devices and particularly to a new and improved automatic fluid control device.

It is often desirable to arrange a pair of cooperating but relatively movable elements according to a predetermined scheme or relationship. However, because the elements are relatively movable, it is frequently difficult to maintain their predetermined relationship without resorting to expensive, complex or wear inducing arrangements.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an automatic control device which eliminates the above-noted deficiencies of conventional practice.

It is another object of my invention to provide a control device which operates automatically to realign a pair of cooperating members which have strayed from their desired relationship.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel automatic control device which operates according to the principles of feedback control in a substantially instantaneous manner.

Yet another object of my invention is the provision of an automatic control device which is of simplified construction and economical in operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved control device which operates to control fluid flow through a plurality of ports such that the releasing of fluid flow through one port automatically restricts fluid flow through said port.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved automatic control device which operates to control fluid flow through a plurality of ports such that opposition to fluid flow through one port automatically induces an increase in fluid flow through said port.

Yet a further object of my invention is the provision of a control system whereby a pair of cooperating but relatively movable members operate automatically to maintain a predetermined relationship.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide an improved automatic control device wherein a plurality of sets of ports having fluid flow can be automatically controlled in accordance with the foregoing objects and flow through the ports of each set and the several sets interrelated as in the former objects.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a new and improved automatic control unit of compact and inexpensive design comprising a plurality of superimposed discs suitably formed and arranged to include a housing having ports, valves, valve seats and spacers therein.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a unique automatic control unit which includes a housing formed of a series of superimposed discs suitably perforated to define fluid passages therein, certain of said discs further having centrally formed apertures therein, one group of apertured discs being separated from a second group by means of a diaphragm, a source of pressurized fluid connected to one of said passages, the remaining passages connected to an apparatus to be controlled, whereby inappropriate movements of said apparatus effect movement of said diaphragm to modify the course of fluid flow and return said apparatus to a desired orientation.

Other and further objects and advantages will be obvious or will appear hereinafter in the description wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view detailing the construction of the control unit for my invention and also indicating certain aspects of the operation thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of said control unit;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, and 6, respectively, illustrate schematically the median position and each extreme position of the diaphragm within the control unit;

FIGS. 4A, 5A' and 6A, respectively, illustrate schematically the relative positions assumed by members of a typical appliance which is governed by the control unit;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view ofthe control unit;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the governed appliance, certain parts cut away and in section for a clearer understanding of construction thereof; and

FIG. 9 is a section view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 ofa modified form of the invention.

In order to achieve the objects stated hitherto, my invention, as will be described, provides a control unit which is operatively connected intermediate of a source of pressurized fluid and an appliance to be governed. The control unit comprises a plurality of apertured plates or discs and diaphragms cooperable therewith adroitly arranged in the manner of a sandwich. Upon a signal received at the control unit of an adverse condition occurring in the governed appliance, the aforesaid diaphragms and apertured plates operate to correct that situation.

Referring now to the drawings, for a more complete description of my invention, the automatic control unit is seen to be generally referenced by numeral 10 and comprises a base 12 and a housing 14. Housing 14 is actually composed of a plurality of sandwiched disc elements, viz, a closure plate 16, an intermediate disc or plate 18, and a plurality of valve discs 20, port discs or plates 22, and diaphragms 24. Bolts 26 pass through clearance holes formed in ears 27 of closure plate 16 and are threadedly received in appropriate tapped holes 28 in the base 12 to thereby clamp the aforesaid elements together in a fluid pressure tight manner.

It will be seen that base 12 is provided with a fluid inlet 30 and four fluid outlets respectively indicated by numerals 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d. A supply of pressurized fluid 34, which is not shown in detail as it may take any desirable form, is connected to inlet 30 by a conduit 36.

A typical example of an appliance 37 is suitably governed by the control unit 10 is herein illustrated to be a shaft 38 rotatably supported within a bearing sleeve 40. In a conventional manner, sufficient clearance is provided between the peripheral surface of shaft 38 and the inner surface of bearing sleeve 40 to permit the free rotation of said shaft therein. Four ports 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d, respectively are provided and extend through the shell of bearing sleeve 40, each terminating in a recess 44. Each port is connected by means of conduit 46 to its associated fluid outlet such that port 42a is connected to fluid outlet 32a, and so forth, as is clearly illustrated in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the invention herein is not to be limited to the particular application which is shown and described, this one having been chosen only as being illustrative of the operation and use thereof.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, top plate 16, intermediate plate 18, port plates 22 and valve plates 20 are composed of a relatively nondeformable material. In contrast thereto, each diaphragm 24 is composed of a relatively deformable gaskettype material, neoprene-coated nylon cloth being one example of a suitable material for the purpose of my invention. Five fluid receiving perforations all represented by numeral 48, are formed in elements 18, 20, 22 and 24 at common locations such that one group thereof communicates with fluid inlet 30, and each of the other four groups communicate, respectively, with their associated fluid outlets 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d. Particularly to assure the relative positioning of the port plates 22, a pair of spaced apart pegs 50 are embedded in the upper surface of base 12 and extend upwardly therefrom. Each of the sandwiched elements l6, 18, 20, 22 and 24 are formed with a pair of similarly spaced holes 52 arranged to receive pegs 50 therethrough. Each port plate 22 is provided with a relatively large central aperture 54 while each valve disc 20 is formed with a central aperture 56 providing a valve seat substantially smaller than apertures 54. It will further be seen that each port plate includes a single perforation 48a modified from the remaining fluid receiving perforations 48 in that it is communicable with its associated central aperture so as to divert part of the fluid toward the canter of the assembly. The different perforations 480 are arranged in a predisposed pattern whose purpose will be understood hereinafter. It need be sufficient at this juncture only to point out that the pattern employed is necessary for the effective operation of the invention thus to justify the use of pegs 50 and mating holes 52.

FIGS. 4 and 4A are schematic representations of control unit and a typical appliance 37 characterized by shaft 38 and bearing sleeve 40. They are further indicative of a desirable operating condition wherein shaft 38 is running true within bearing sleeve 40 such that all ports 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d are receiving fluid under pressure at substantially equal rates of flow from fluid supply 34 via control unit 10 and the various fluid conduits 46. FIG. 4 comprises the lower half of control unit If), that portion of which controls fluid flow to ports 42c and 42d of appliance 37. It will be understood that the upper half of control unit It) is substantially similar to the lower half and serves to control the flow of fluid to ports 42a and 42b.

Having particular reference to FIGS. l and 4, it will be understood that pressurized fluid from supply 34 flows through conduit 36 into control unit 10 via inlet 30, thence upward through housing 14 by way of the fluid line 58 therein defined by the perforations 48 formed in the several sandwiched elements thereof. Within the lower half of control unit 10 (see FIG. 4, the fluid flow is seen to be twice diverted from fluid line 58). In the first instance wherein the diverted fluid exhausts from control unit 10 via outlet 32d, said fluid is seen to be deflected through a modified perforation 43a in a port plate 22 adjacent diaphragm 24. The fluid is thereupon directed downwardly by said diaphragm through a central aperture 54 of the aforesaid port plate, through a central valve aperture 56 in the valve disc adjacent thereto, thence through central aperture 54 in the lowermost port plate 22, through modified perforation 48a therein, and finally exhausts via outlet 32d.

Similarly, in the second instance wherein the diverted fluid exhausts from control unit 10 via outlet 32c, said fluid is seen to be deflected through a modified perforation 48a in a port plate 22 adjacent intermediate plate 18. The fluid is thereupon directed downwardly by said intermediate plate through a flow line 58, and finally exhausts via outlet 32c.

It will be appreciated that in the example set forth in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the fluid flow is equal in all parts of the system and the pressure equalized on both sides of the diaphragm 24 wherein said diaphragm remains undeflected.

Refer now to FIGS. 5 and 5A which are indicative of an undesirable operating condition wherein shaft 38 is no longer running true within bearing sleeve 40. Rather, shaft 38 has been deflected to the position whereat it partially seals or closes off port 42d, limiting the flow of fluid therethrough. This is possible because the fluid flow issuing from a single source, namely outlet 32d, is insufficient of itself to return shaft 38 to the true running position of FIG. 4A. The fluid which previously had flowed through outlet 32d into port 42d instantly exerts an excessive upward force on the lower side of diaphragm 24 whereby said diaphragm is distended toward the valve seat in disc 20 provided by aperture 56 so as to partially seal off fluid flow therethrough and restrict flow through modified perforation 480 from the central aperture 54 in the port plate 22 immediately above disc 20. Thus, fluid is restricted in its flow through outlet 32c, and being diverted, flows through outlet 32d in addition to the fluid normally flowing therethrough by reason of the distended condition of the diaphragm. To achieve the goals of the invention, the combined flows of fluid through outlet 32d exert sufficient pressure at the port 42d to return shaft 38 to the desired or true running position of FIG. 4A, particularly since the diaphragm 24 at this instant is restricting fluid flow though port 420. With shaft 38 returned to the true running position. the fluid pressure is equalized on both sides of diaphragm which then assumes a neutral position 24 and fluid flow is normalized throughout the system.

Turning to FIGS. 6 and 6A, another undesirable operating condition is presented wherein shaft 38 is no longer running true within bearing sleeve 40. Herein, shaft 38 has been deflected to the position whereat it partially seals or closes off port 42c, limiting the flow of fluid therethrough. This is possible because the fluid flow issuing from a single source namely outlet 32c, is insufficient of itself to return shaft 38 to the true running position of FIG. 4A. The fluid which previously had flowed through outlet 32c into port 420 instantly exerts an excessive downward force on the upper side of diaphragm 24 whereby said diaphragm is distended so as to partially seal off or restrict flow through port 56 in valve disc 20 below said diaphragm. Thus fluid is restricted in its flow through outlet 32d, and being diverted, flows through outlet 320 in addition to the fluid normally flowing therethrough. As explained previously with respect to the situation indicated in FIG. 5A, in order to achieve the goals of the invention, the combined flow of fluid through outlet 32 c exerts sufficient pressure at the port 420 to return shaft 38 to the desired or true running position of FIG. 4A, particularly since the diaphragm 24 and this instant is restricting flow through port 42d. With shaft 38 returned to the true running position, the fluid pressure is equalized on both sides of diaphragm 24 and fluid flow is normalized through the valve discs 20 on both sides of a respective diaphragm and, thus, throughout the system.

Although the description herein regarding the operational aspects of the invention has been limited to the lower half of control unit 10 which serves to control fluid flow to ports 42c and 42d of appliance 37, it'should be appreciated that the upper half of control unit 10 operates in an identical manner to control fluid flow to ports 42a and 42b of said appliance. Also additional similar control units can be added as desired. For purposes of clarity in the foregoing description, shaft 38 was assumed to run true relative to ports 42a and 42b. Obviously the shaft might be displaced relative to all of the ports in varying degrees, in which case, the reaction will be determined by the condition at each port.

Accordingly, I have described herein a unique control device of simplified. compact and inexpensive design which operates according to the principles of feedback control to substantially maintain a pair of cooperating members in a predetermined relationship. It will be understood that all occurrences described in the foregoing description take place in an instantaneous manner.

While I have herein disclosed a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is not my intent that the invention should be limited to the particular construction or materials described and illustrated. Rather, such alterations or modifications may be made thereto as fall within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example in FIG. 10, the discs have in addition to the perforations 48, similar perforations 48' which serve as bolt holes to join the discs into an assembly. Thus, some perforations combine to form passageways for fluid and some for the passage of bolts. In this embodiment, the guide pins 50 are omitted and the discs assembled in a predetermined fashion to achieve the correct fluid flow and distribution.

It will be understood that various materials can be employed such as metal, plastic and paper according to the specific requirements of an application.

Also, although here applied to use in control of a fluid bearing, it will be understood that the control has a wide variety of applications.

Although I have described this invention as having only four ports per unit it should be understood that there can be as many pairs of ports as desired.

I claim:

1. An automatic control device comprising a housing formed of a series of superimposed discs having perforations therein, said perforations in said series of discs mutually aligned to define a plurality of passageways through said housing, a plurality of chambers arranged in pairs within said housing, a diaphragm disposed to separate each pair of said chambers, an inlet port in said housing in communication with said chambers via said passageways, said housing having a plurality of outlet ports in communication with said chambers via said passageways and exhausting exteriorly of said housing, said means responsive to a restriction of fluid flow through one of said outlet ports to effectively adjust the flow of fluid to said outlet ports to counteract said restriction.

2. The automatic control device set forth in claim 1 including an appliance to be controlled thereby having first and second members relatively movable, said members provided with opposed surfaces, a plurality of spaced apart control ports in said first member in communication with said surfaces, conduits connecting each of said outlet ports to a respective one of said ports to establish a region of predetermined magnitude between said surfaces.

3. The device set forth in claim 2 wherein said control ports are symmetrically located to form cooperating pairs, said valve means connected to said control ports in a manner to increase fluid flow to a first one of a pair of said control ports proximate to a portion of said region decreased from said predetermined magnitude and operable to decrease fluid flow to a second one of a pair of said control ports proximate to a portion of said region increased from said predetermined magnitude.

4. The device set forth in claim 2 wherein said first member is a bearing sleeve and wherein said second member is a shaft rotatably supported in said bearing sleeve.

5. An automatic control device comprising a housing formed of a series of superimposed discs having perforations therein, said perforations in said series of discs mutually aligned to define a plurality of passageways through said housing, centrally located apertures in certain of said discs to define at least first and second chambers within said housing a diaphragm disposed to separate said first chamber from said second chamber, an inlet port in said housing in communication with said chambers via said passageways, a plurality of outlet ports in communication with said chambers via said passageways and exhausting exteriorly of said housing, said series of discs on each side of said diaphragm including a port plate and a valve disc each having a central port therein, said diaphragm and said valve disc having cooperating surface areas relatively separable, said diaphragm responsive to a restriction of fluid flow through one of said outlet ports and movable thereby toward engagement with said valve disc to restrict the flow of fluid through said port in said valve disc, the movement of said diaphragm being eflective to adjust the flow of fluid to said outlet ports to counteract said restriction.

6. The automatic control device set forth in claim 5 including an appliance to be controlled thereby having first and second members relatively movable, said members provided with opposed surfaces, a plurality of spaced apart control ports in said first member in communication with said surfaces, conduits connecting each of said outlet ports to a respective one of said control ports to establish a region of predetermined magnitude between said surfaces.

7. The device set forth in claim 6 wherein said control ports are symmetrically located to form cooperating pairs, said valve means connected to said control ports in a manner to increase fluid flow to first one of a pair of said control ports proximate to a portion of saidregion decreased from said predetermined magnitude and operable to decrease fluid flow to a second one of a pair of said control ports proximate to a portion of said region increased from said predetermined magnitude.

8. The device set forth in claim 6 wherein said first member is a bearing sleeve and wherein said second member is a shaft rotatably supported in said bearing sleeve.

9. The automatic control device set forth in claim 5 wherein said port in each of said valve discs is substantially smaller than said port in each of said port plates so that the cooperating diaphragm can operatively move in relation to the valve disc port.

10. An automatic control device comprising a housing having a plurality of fluid passageways in said housing, a plurality of chambers within said housing, a diaphragm disposed to separate said chambers, an inlet port in said housing in communication with said chambers via said passageways, said housing having a plurality of outlet ports in communication with said chambers via said selective passageways and exhausting exteriorly of said housing, said diaphragm providing valve means responsive to a restriction of fluid flow through one of said outlet ports to effectively adjust the flow of fluid to said outlet ports to counteract said restriction. 

